Russia's military invasion of Ukraine has significantly changed the attitude of European countries towards their security and defense capability. Just a few months after the start of a full-scale war, Finland and Sweden expressed their intention to become full members of the North Atlantic Alliance. The inclusion of these countries in NATO will significantly strengthen its defense capability. And if earlier the policy of the Finnish authorities in matters of defense and defense of the country looked somewhat old-fashioned, now the situation has changed dramatically, Bloomberg reports..
“We have significant defense capabilities to wage the same kind of war that is currently going on in Ukraine,” General and Commander-in-Chief of Finnish Defense Timo Kivinen said in an interview.. - "
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The words of the general really correspond to the current reality. Unlike France, Germany, Sweden and many other European countries, Finland has never abolished conscription and, if necessary, can mobilize up to 280,000 soldiers from trained reservists..
Mindful of the past Russian invasion of their country, Finland, even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, did not begin to eliminate the 1343-kilometer defense system along the border with the Russian Federation. While other European countries dismantled it, believing that military conflicts were far behind.
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Finnish officials candidly admit to being disappointed that, six months after applying, they still have not joined NATO.. An obstacle on the way of the Scandinavian countries to the Alliance is now Turkey and Hungary, which have not yet ratified the agreement in parliaments.
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For the defense of the country, not only a significant amount of heavy equipment was accumulated, but, taking into account the peculiarities of the war in Ukraine, Finland is strengthening its air defense and increasing the volume of heavy artillery.
In particular, an agreement was recently signed with the United States, totaling $535 million, for the supply of ammunition for the Finnish fleet of M-270 multiple launch rocket systems and the replenishment of the fleet of 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzers..
The US State Department also approved the sale of $323 million worth of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles for use by Finnish fighters, saying the country "
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" Many countries in Europe abandoned Cold War territorial defense doctrines in the 1990s and early 2000s. Tanks were decommissioned, field guns mothballed, manpower and budgets cut.. However, this does not apply to Finland,"
“The Finns are more prepared,” said General Timo Kivinen, “but this is because of our history.”.